R Ashwin is definitely part of ODI team, says Bharat Arun

Ravichandran Ashwin has quite fallen out of the limited overs format since playing in the 2015 World Cup. He has played only 15 ODI matches over the past two years and has been more of a regular in Test format. But bowling coach Bharat Arun considers him, very much in the grand scheme of things, as an option in the limited over format.

Stating that he is unwilling to look at what has happened so far with Ashwin since his last stint as India’s coach, Arun told reporters, " Even if you look at his last ODI which he played in West Indies, he has got 3 for 28. He (Ashwin) is very skilful. I don't want to look at what has happened so far but he is definitely part of the ODI team.”

Arun didn’t rule him out of India’s 2019 World Cup team although he kept his options open in that slot. “This question should be asked to the selectors but as bowling coach, I think he is an extremely talented bowler. We would also like to give a lot of opportunities to other bowlers as well (hence the rotation), then we can have a long-term plan in place and then we will take a call accordingly."

The former right arm bowler also stressed the importance of having one left-arm fast bowler to provide balance to the side.

He said, “We have wrist spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. So, if we can get even one good left-arm fast bowler it will go well for the side.”

The Indian team haven’t really seen a quality and consistent left-arm fast bowler since Zaheer Khan left the circuit. While Ashish Nehra was lethal, his recurring injuries have been a big hindrance. Jaydev Unadkat lacks the pace that makes fast bowlers lethal, while Aniket Chaudhary remains an unfinished product.

The former Tamil Nadu player added, “If you look at the bowling unit as a whole there has been a tremendous improvement in the last couple of years. But looking ahead to the 2019 World Cup, we will need to have back up options for every bowler that we have. There are enough bowlers in our country to provide that bench strength."